Harbor Freight opening in Wareham January 9 or 10

How is that tool chest??? I'm thinking of a complete basement re-do. I've got some old cabinets and such that house a pile of crap. But there's a lally-column in the way. I'm thinking the rolling tool chest, some shelving and a bookshelf to hold some reference material and sandpaper (which is just stacked willy-nilly in a cabinet now).

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Do yourself a favor and put EVERYTHING on wheels. Even if you need to cut up plywood bases and screw them on.

One of the best things I did a year or two after moving was move all contents from unopened cardboard boxes to plastic bins. I used the solid black ones from home cheapo as they don't crack on me like the clear ones, but I labeled each as to contents. They stack nicely on the shelves, the labeling makes it easy to find something, and I found both the missing cleaning kit; second DeWalt battery, and septarian concretion. It was a huge recycling week with all that cardboard.

I have bought stuff from HF, The first thing was a set of metric taps and dies (I needed them in hurry, they had them) They work as they are supposed to. But if when one gets dull or chipped, from being used that much, then I will buy a high end one to replace it. So far use enough cutting oil and don't force the tool, No problems. I have since bought an Air file for body work, no problems, I don't do much body work.
I am in the process of setting up a Bridgeport (no I am not a Machinist) Bought a wooden tool box, Similar to a Gerstner, at one quarter of the price, Plus a Dial indicator. My friend who is a machinist, matched it up to his Starrett and the numbers were the same. So if you are careful you can find stuff there that will meet the standards.
I have been told that HF is going open a place in Keene, NH as well.

HF is awsome for certain things. Those variety packs in plastic bin boxes of hose clamps, or grommets, set screws, electric connectors, rivets, etc. can come in extremely handy.

I went last week and bought a set of their 6-ton jack stands because I thought it was a good deal at $32. On the way home I stopped into Tractor Supply to use the can and their same 6 ton stand sells for $26! Doh!

I ... bought a set of [HF's] 6-ton jack stands because I thought it was a good deal at $32. On the way home I stopped into Tractor Supply ... and their same 6 ton stand sells for $26! Doh!

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One of my regrets is that my father reached his dotage before getting a look inside the Tractor Supply that was hiking distance from his house. The one time I took him inside on a whim, I was gobsmacked. I'm sure he approved of it on the general principle that Hardware is Good, but if only he really could have appreciated it, he would have loved it.
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ETA: He would have gone Full Boris on Harbor Freight stuff - using it as raw materials.
Each of our RVs (Wheel Camper tent camper and Shasta trailer) had literally dozens of his tweaks.

Thanks. Some good ideas. I'm not 100% sure rolling shelving is necessary, but an interesting option.

I've currently got most of my power tools in a crappy sheet steel cabinet. One more of those shelty-things an I could store it all on open shelving. Would be more efficient. Plus I could move some of the stuff I really don't need to the corner it's in right now.

One of the best things I did a year or two after moving was move all contents from unopened cardboard boxes to plastic bins. I used the solid black ones from home cheapo as they don't crack on me like the clear ones, but I labeled each as to contents. They stack nicely on the shelves, the labeling makes it easy to find something, and I found both the missing cleaning kit; second DeWalt battery, and septarian concretion. It was a huge recycling week with all that cardboard.

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I'm surprised the black ones were stronger than the clear ones.

A general rule clear plastic is the strongest, as the resin cannot be adulterated with any fillers and remain clear. Fillers are usually added in interest of economy.

I have bought stuff from HF, The first thing was a set of metric taps and dies (I needed them in hurry, they had them) They work as they are supposed to. But if when one gets dull or chipped, from being used that much, then I will buy a high end one to replace it. So far use enough cutting oil and don't force the tool, No problems. I have since bought an Air file for body work, no problems, I don't do much body work.
I am in the process of setting up a Bridgeport (no I am not a Machinist) Bought a wooden tool box, Similar to a Gerstner, at one quarter of the price, Plus a Dial indicator. My friend who is a machinist, matched it up to his Starrett and the numbers were the same. So if you are careful you can find stuff there that will meet the standards.
I have been told that HF is going open a place in Keene, NH as well.

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Their Wooden Chests are no Gerstners, but what the hell.

Still, some of the ones I've seen in the stores have very mismatched grain, poorly fitted, and are just plain ugly.

Thanks. Some good ideas. I'm not 100% sure rolling shelving is necessary, but an interesting option.

I've currently got most of my power tools in a crappy sheet steel cabinet. One more of those shelty-things an I could store it all on open shelving. Would be more efficient. Plus I could move some of the stuff I really don't need to the corner it's in right now.

The clear ones seemed to be made out of more brittle plastic, whereas the Home Depot ones (black with yellow covers) seen to be at least as thick but have just a bit of give in the plastic. I've had the clear one crack but never the black. I suspect it has more to do with the type of plastic than the coloration.

I use Steel Jack Stands, but as I had a cheap one from Lechmere's collapse years ago, I combine Jack Stands with lengths of 6X6 X 2' timbers from Home Depot. I screwed a nice handle on the ends so as to move and carry them.

Still, some of the ones I've seen in the stores have very mismatched grain, poorly fitted, and are just plain ugly.

No Gerstner is ever ugly.

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No disagreement, Maybe I got lucky This one matched draws all fit fine. Like I said They do the job quite well and "I am not a Machinist" but I needed a decent box to start putting those tools away in. Even a Kennedy was into the 300 dollar range, for just a top box.

A general rule clear plastic is the strongest, as the resin cannot be adulterated with any fillers and remain clear. Fillers are usually added in interest of economy.

One exception is when a black dye provides UV resistance.

OR if a colored item has fiberglass strands or the like added.

So …. it's complicated.

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I have 3 of those black/yellow-top big-ass bins from HD/Lowe's. Have had them for a decade or more. Still in great condition. Stack well. Put a bunch of shooting/reloading/hunting stuff in them for storage in the basement. They worked well so far.

Picked up the HF tool chest yesterday. It's HYUUUUUJ! Wow. Can't wait to get it assembled and filled. Then I can SEE my tools for a change!

Also started ordering the first of a few of those Regency shelving units. I was gonna go fixed until I realized that with rolling, I can empty the cabinets that are where the shelves WILL go right onto the shelves, then rip them out and put the rolling shelves in place. Saves me a step for sure.

Next will be a few bins for stuff that needs bins. Like screws and nails. Maybe a cheap cookie-tray vertical rack for the sandpaper collection. Getting excited that the basement clean-up will be done in the near future.

Picked up the HF tool chest yesterday. It's HYUUUUUJ! Wow. Can't wait to get it assembled and filled. Then I can SEE my tools for a change!

Also started ordering the first of a few of those Regency shelving units. I was gonna go fixed until I realized that with rolling, I can empty the cabinets that are where the shelves WILL go right onto the shelves, then rip them out and put the rolling shelves in place. Saves me a step for sure.

Next will be a few bins for stuff that needs bins. Like screws and nails. Maybe a cheap cookie-tray vertical rack for the sandpaper collection. Getting excited that the basement clean-up will be done in the near future.

Picked up the HF tool chest yesterday. It's HYUUUUUJ! Wow. Can't wait to get it assembled and filled. Then I can SEE my tools for a change!

Also started ordering the first of a few of those Regency shelving units. I was gonna go fixed until I realized that with rolling, I can empty the cabinets that are where the shelves WILL go right onto the shelves, then rip them out and put the rolling shelves in place. Saves me a step for sure.

Next will be a few bins for stuff that needs bins. Like screws and nails. Maybe a cheap cookie-tray vertical rack for the sandpaper collection. Getting excited that the basement clean-up will be done in the near future.

30" 5-drawer. THere's a coupon on their website for $189. Regularly $219. Even at $219 it was a good deal. They have 6 colors, I think. Sane people will pick from black, blue or red. Some nut HAS to have day-glo-orange or lemon-yellah-sun. And the occasional degenerate gets the lime vomit green. LOL.

30" didn't sound like much. I GUESS it seemed big. So I went to see them at the Attleboro store on Wednesday. HYUUUJ!! Gigantic, even. Very impressive.

Took about an hour to put together. The wheels were the biggest PITA to do because it uses carriage bolts and the holes in the deck weren't wide enough to fit the square section of the carriage bolts. It's heavy. You'll need help getting it out of your truck and lifting the box onto the frame. Well, I got it out of my truck and onto my dolly but I'm not sure how I did it. (It's about 120lbs and bulky.) Wife helped me lift int onto the stand last night. Took us all of 2 min.

Currently, all of my tools are piled into 3 mid-depth 12" kitchen drawers. . . . plus hung on the wall and strewn around the top of that cabinet. I'm suspecting it will all fit easily into this chest with room to spare. Saws will be the only thing I'll have to think about. I've got shelving coming so I'm thinking S-hooks on the side of the shelving for those.

Oh and the instructions suck. Go figure. If you get one, put the wheels on and DOG THEM BOLTS DOWN. You'll never have a chance to tighten them again. THEN finish the assembly. The wheels use the bag of parts with locknuts and washers. (Thankfully they separate the parts a bit.). Looking at the pictures was more help than the actual instructions.

Before I really get started, I should take a before pic of the wall I'm organizing. That way I can compare afterwards. My bet is that I'll have a S-ton of shelf room left.